Film and TV Adaptations

covingtoncat73 · 10-22-2013, 09:58 AM

I didn't know whether I should put this in the "Lounge" or in the "General Discussions," but it is a topic I think a lot about. I, personally get excited when a book I like is being dramatized, though that does sometime lead to disappointment. However, I think a good adaptation can really heighten your involvement with/appreciation of the story.

1) Do you have any adaptations that you particularly like/despise?

I'm a fan of the HP and LOTR adaptations, though, of course, there are a few things I would have done differently. I was lukewarm on the Cloud Atlas adaptation. I thought it was lovely visually and musically and the acting was pretty good but I didn't get the power of the story I did from the book. I hated, hated, hated the TV movie of Wizard of Earthsea. It was not the book at all and garbled the story horribly.

2). Anyone else like to play the "casting game" (i.e. thinking about who would play favorite characters).

PeterT · 10-22-2013, 10:01 AM

I've had discussions with friends over the years who would complain about how they did not like an adaptation because of how it strayed from the original material.

I would always counter with the fact I tend to treat the film version as totally distinct from the book, and that I would just enjoy the two as separate works.

covingtoncat73 · 10-22-2013, 10:06 AM

That is certainly a way to approach it, Peter. I really don't mind changes (I love that first Hobbit movie, which adds stuff, and that latest Pride & Prejudice adaptation, which cut a lot of stuff). I do think the spirit of the original story should be respected, though.

Lady Blue · 10-22-2013, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by covingtoncat73

2). Anyone else like to play the "casting game" (i.e. thinking about who would play favorite characters).

The idea of Tom Cruise playing Jack Reacher just boggles my mind. (Mutt & Jeff)

I know - artistic license.

covingtoncat73 · 10-22-2013, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady Blue

The idea of Tom Cruise playing Jack Reacher just boggles my mind. (Mutt & Jeff)

I know - artistic license.

LOL. He is nutty as planter's mixed but I thought he did a decent job as Lestat in Interview with the Vampire and he wasn't a fit for that. Never read the Reacher books. I have a Pinterest board for my casting...

http://www.pinterest.com/caitlin7043...casting-couch/

steven522 · 10-22-2013, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by covingtoncat73

1) Do you have any adaptations that you particularly like/despise?

Personally, I have enjoyed all of the Stephen King mini-series adaptations that have been done for television over the years. It seems like they can do fairly well when they are able to take a story of his and let it play out over two or three different nights.

cromag · 10-23-2013, 04:54 AM

As Halloween approaches I was thinking of the animated version of Ray Bradbury's The Halloween Tree. The television adaptation was a sub-set of the book, but stayed true to the spirit. Ray Bradbury did the narration, and Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Moundshroud was just about perfect.

poohbear_nc · 10-23-2013, 09:32 AM

The Merchant/Ivory/Jhabvala films are magnificent examples of adapting classic novels to the movie screen. My particular favorites are The Golden Bowl and The Bostonians. Ruth Prawer Jhabvala is a superb screenwriter, bringing Henry James' prose to life.

covingtoncat73 · 10-23-2013, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cromag

As Halloween approaches I was thinking of the animated version of Ray Bradbury's The Halloween Tree. The television adaptation was a sub-set of the book, but stayed true to the spirit. Ray Bradbury did the narration, and Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Moundshroud was just about perfect.

Ooooh. I wonder if that is on Netflix.

Quote:

Originally Posted by steven522

Personally, I have enjoyed all of the Stephen King mini-series adaptations that have been done for television over the years. It seems like they can do fairly well when they are able to take a story of his and let it play out over two or three different nights.

I've thought so, too. I mean, you can't do The Stand in 2 hours.

Quote:

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

The Merchant/Ivory/Jhabvala films are magnificent examples of adapting classic novels to the movie screen. My particular favorites are The Golden Bowl and The Bostonians. Ruth Prawer Jhabvala is a superb screenwriter, bringing Henry James' prose to life.

I should look those up. I saw Howard's End and Remains of the Day a long time ago and they were lovely.

Okay. Here's a question; do you have a book you'd really like to see a good adaptation of.

For me, it is A Wizard of Earthsea. That hideous miniseries they came out with awhile back doesn't count.

I'd also like to see adaptations of David Mitchell's 1000 Autumns of Jacob de Zoet and Neil Gaiman's Sandman (yes, I know it is a graphic novel).

steven522 · 10-23-2013, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by covingtoncat73

Okay. Here's a question; do you have a book you'd really like to see a good adaptation of.

With all of the Spider-man/Superman/Avengers/Batman/Iron-Man screen-time lately, I would like for one of the networks to tackle George R. R. Martin's Wild Cards series and really put some effort into it.

covingtoncat73 · 10-23-2013, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steven522

With all of the Spider-man/Superman/Avengers/Batman/Iron-Man screen-time lately, I would like for one of the networks to tackle George R. R. Martin's Wild Cards series and really put some effort into it.

Yeah, I think I read a couple of those many, many years ago and liked them. The Game of Thrones series is certainly well-done! I actually like the T.V. series better than the books on that one, which is strange.

kindlekitten · 10-24-2013, 02:06 AM

I'd like to see the Wheel of Time done

owly · 10-24-2013, 04:27 AM

I thought the "Bridget Jones Diary" film was MUCH better than the book. An upcoming adaption to watch-out for the "Outlander" Starz i making a TV-series based on the first book in the series by Diana Gabaldon and most of the main characters are now cast http://www.starz.com/originals/outlander

bookaho!ic · 10-24-2013, 08:20 AM

i loved the adaptation of

The stand
Shawshank Redemption

and am currently loving Under the dome however the book is better by a long shot

kindlekitten · 10-24-2013, 06:34 PM

game of thrones!!!!!

10-22-2013, 09:58 AM	#1
covingtoncat73 Wizard Posts: 2,745 Karma: 83407757 Join Date: Mar 2011 Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Lenovo Duet Chromebook, Moto e	Film and TV Adaptations I didn't know whether I should put this in the "Lounge" or in the "General Discussions," but it is a topic I think a lot about. I, personally get excited when a book I like is being dramatized, though that does sometime lead to disappointment. However, I think a good adaptation can really heighten your involvement with/appreciation of the story. 1) Do you have any adaptations that you particularly like/despise? I'm a fan of the HP and LOTR adaptations, though, of course, there are a few things I would have done differently. I was lukewarm on the Cloud Atlas adaptation. I thought it was lovely visually and musically and the acting was pretty good but I didn't get the power of the story I did from the book. I hated, hated, hated the TV movie of Wizard of Earthsea. It was not the book at all and garbled the story horribly. 2). Anyone else like to play the "casting game" (i.e. thinking about who would play favorite characters).

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10-22-2013, 10:01 AM	#2
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,250 Karma: 78869092 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	I've had discussions with friends over the years who would complain about how they did not like an adaptation because of how it strayed from the original material. I would always counter with the fact I tend to treat the film version as totally distinct from the book, and that I would just enjoy the two as separate works.

10-22-2013, 10:06 AM	#3
covingtoncat73 Wizard Posts: 2,745 Karma: 83407757 Join Date: Mar 2011 Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Lenovo Duet Chromebook, Moto e	That is certainly a way to approach it, Peter. I really don't mind changes (I love that first Hobbit movie, which adds stuff, and that latest Pride & Prejudice adaptation, which cut a lot of stuff). I do think the spirit of the original story should be respected, though.

10-23-2013, 04:54 AM	#7
cromag Surfin the alpha waves ~~ Posts: 25,963 Karma: 459735575 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: New Jersey Device: Jetbook Lite & Mini, Nook STR, Kobo, Hanvon N516, Kindle 2, Androids	As Halloween approaches I was thinking of the animated version of Ray Bradbury's The Halloween Tree. The television adaptation was a sub-set of the book, but stayed true to the spirit. Ray Bradbury did the narration, and Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Moundshroud was just about perfect.

10-23-2013, 09:32 AM	#8
poohbear_nc Bah! Humbug! Posts: 62,623 Karma: 135239851 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Durham, NC Device: Every Kindle Ever Made & To Be Made!	The Merchant/Ivory/Jhabvala films are magnificent examples of adapting classic novels to the movie screen. My particular favorites are The Golden Bowl and The Bostonians. Ruth Prawer Jhabvala is a superb screenwriter, bringing Henry James' prose to life.

10-24-2013, 02:06 AM	#12
kindlekitten Professional Adventuress Posts: 13,368 Karma: 50260224 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: The Olympic Peninsula on the OTHER Washington! (the big green clean one on the west coast!) Device: Kindle, the original! Times Two! and gifting an International Kindle	I'd like to see the Wheel of Time done

10-24-2013, 04:27 AM	#13
owly Guru Posts: 729 Karma: 3822612 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Sweden Device: Paperwhite 2, Kobo Aura H2O	I thought the "Bridget Jones Diary" film was MUCH better than the book. An upcoming adaption to watch-out for the "Outlander" Starz i making a TV-series based on the first book in the series by Diana Gabaldon and most of the main characters are now cast http://www.starz.com/originals/outlander

10-24-2013, 08:20 AM	#14
bookaho!ic Evangelist Posts: 466 Karma: 5575734 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: UK Device: kobo Aura H20 2nd Ed	i loved the adaptation of The stand Shawshank Redemption and am currently loving Under the dome however the book is better by a long shot

10-24-2013, 06:34 PM	#15
kindlekitten Professional Adventuress Posts: 13,368 Karma: 50260224 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: The Olympic Peninsula on the OTHER Washington! (the big green clean one on the west coast!) Device: Kindle, the original! Times Two! and gifting an International Kindle	game of thrones!!!!!

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